Fauji appeal gone, Chandeni youth look at other careers to secure future

From study abroad to private jobs and even mine labour, boys in this Haryana village explore new avenues following the introduction of Agnipath Scheme, which puts a four-year restriction on Army service  Charkhi Dadri, Haryana: The nondescript village of Chandeni in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district recently hit the headlines after son of the soil Anurag Sangwan topped the prestigious National Defence Academy entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.  The village with 600 households and 3,000 people has the distinction of sending hundreds of faujis (soldiers) to serve the motherland. In fact, its relation with the Indian Army dates back to the British era, when faujis from this village participated in the World Wars. Post-Independence, many fought in the Indo-Pak, Indo-China, and Kargil wars.A bumpy ride on a narrow link road takes one to Chandeni, located around 25 km from Charkhi Dadri district headquarters. Agriculture is the oldest occupation of the place, with cotton and wheat being the main crops. However, with the share of cultivable lands dwindling and most families holding one acre or less, people are taking up government and private jobs or working as mine labourers. Shaky mobile connectivity is the first change that one notices on reaching the dusty village, where farmers are seen harvesting their mustard crop and sowing cotton. A statue of Satyawan Singh, a martyred para-commando, establishes the Army connection right at the village entrance. At the memorial, sarpanch Raj Singh Sangwan could be seen waiting for this reporter, along with a group of elderly men.At the entrance to the village, a memorial statue for fallen para-commando Satyawan Singh who died in the line of duty (Photo - Sat Singh, 101Reporters) “Welcome to Chandeni — the land of soldiers,” announces an affable Raj Singh (65). “Our village is a goldmine of talent. Besides soldiers, we have at least 15 commissioned officers serving in the Indian Army and as many retired hands. Two of our boys have entered the Indian Administrative Service, while 20 doctors work at different locations. If 600 soldiers from this village are part of the Army, there are 300 pensioners also. It shows our passion for the olive uniform,” he adds.  Downtick in craze for the uniformFor a long time, joining the Indian Army has been every child's dream. By the age of eight, most of them would have a set routine of going to the panchayat-operated village stadium and gymnasium to run and exercise. Retired Army personnel also train them by introducing a tough exercise regime. As years passed, girls also began to use the stadium. However, of late, defence jobs are losing their sheen.Amit Sangwan (20), who was seen sweating it out on the village playground, told 101Reporters that he also aspired to make it to the Indian Army, but not anymore. He is now preparing to crack exams related to other government institutions, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation.“For the last six to eight years, I have been working hard for selection as an Army sepoy. But the halt on recruitment due to the pandemic and the launch of Agnipath Scheme that came with the provision of four years’ service dashed my hopes,” says Amit, who has completed class 12 in non-medical stream.He said he had applied during two Army recruitment rallies, but had failed in both. “Things are really difficult for soldier aspirants. Their struggle is much more than that of officer rank aspirants.”Amit believes things have changed socially as well. “What will the future hold forth for agniveers after four years? Earlier, upon getting an Army job, there will be a flurry of marriage proposals for the boy. But now, due to the temporary nature of the job under the Agnipath, many hesitate,” he explains.Sachin Sangwan (24), who had trained for the last five years for an Army job, echoes Amit. “I am preparing for a fireman’s job. Agnipath Scheme dashed my dreams. What is the future of agniveers after four years? If they will be absorbed in the Army, it is fine. Otherwise, they will have to struggle afresh for a job,” he reasons.By the age of eight, most young people from the village set a routine of going to the panchayat-operated village stadium and gymnasium to run and exercise (Photo - Sat Singh, 101Reporters) Citing the impact the scheme had on his family, Chandeni resident Suresh Chowkidar says his sons Ajay and Deepak have started working as labourers at a mining zone in Charkhi Dadri. “Otherwise, what will work with this four-year service? We have a family to run, so mine labour seems like a better option now. It made sense when the faujis had a 20-year service tenure, but not anymore,” he rues.Like individuals and families, coaching institutions have also been affected. Manish Kumar runs one of the largest coaching institutes for Army aspirants in the state under the brand name AMS in Rohtak. He attests that the number of aspirants has reduced significantly, following the introduction of Agnipath Scheme. "Each of our batches used to have more than 100 students, but there are only a few takers now. Most of the youth have switched over to institutes that can help them study in countries such as the US, Canada and Australia,” he says.“Yes, I am taking coaching classes for the IELTS [International English Language Testing System] exam, to explore opportunities in a foreign land. I plan to settle down within the next four years. Hopefully, my career will take off by then. If I chose to become an agniveer, there will be a question mark on my employment prospects after four years of service," surmises Ankit Kumar (23) from Hisar district, who had trained relentlessly for four years to become a defence personnel.However, Hukam Singh (70), a retired Nayak Subedar from Rajputana Rifles, could not help but point to the change in attitude over the generations. “The Army had always been the first love for the youth of Chandeni. The first words their mothers spelt out after giving birth was 'I have given birth to a fauji'… Youth would hit the ground before sunrise to practice. No other thoughts crossed their mind. Nowadays, not many come to the ground," says Hukam, who retired from service a decade ago.For villagers, loss of fauji uniform is not the only challenge. The struggle for potable water is evident in Chandeni. Charkhi Dadri district borders Rajasthan, where land is semi-arid. “The government borewell is simply not enough. Each household has to shell out Rs 300 to the private suppliers to meet its drinking water requirement,” informs Sumitra Devi, a woman in her 50s.Most of the villagers live in pucca houses, built in their farmlands to monitor the growing crops round-the-clock. Electricity is available for 16 to 18 hours in the day.  Edited by Rekha PulinnoliCover photo - The panchayat-operated gymnasium inside the stadium in Chandeni in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district (Photo - Sat Singh, 101Reporters)

Haryana Panchayat Polls: Armed with batons, women, youth in Jind uphold ‘spirit’ of democracy

They keep a watch on suspicious activities, mostly distribution of liquor, during their night patrol in the run-up to the panchayat polls in RamkaliJind, Haryana: As the clock ticks at midnight, Anguri Devi remains unperturbed. She has voluntarily given up her sleep ever since the announcement of Haryana panchayat elections on October 7. At 85, nobody expects her to stay awake to keep a check on the lure of liquor among voters. But she does anyway, armed with a stick and a group of supporting women.Offering liquor as bribe to voters is a common practice in Ramkali, a village located 25 km from district headquarters Jind. Youth in the area first formed an anti-liquor squad to ensure free and fair elections, which inspired Anguri and team to go on night patrol. Jind is going to polls on November 2.Liquor and elections have a long complicated history in Haryana and free flowing liquor distribution during elections has been a matter of concern (Photo: Sat Singh)“I came to this village as a teenager. Alcoholism has destroyed many a life in this village. I have seen it first-hand. Women work as domestic helps and in agriculture fields, but men mostly while time away playing cards,” Anguri told 101Reporters. When elections are round the corner, they simply forget all their responsibilities and drink day in and day out. “Free flow of liquor during polls makes them go wild,” she said.A night patrol team member, Darshana Devi (52) echoed Anguri as she elaborated on the ill effects of alcoholism. “Women suffer domestic violence. Whatever money is kept aside for children’s education is diverted to feed the addiction. We are already dealing with inflation and limited means of livelihood. Alcoholism and its impact on health are extra expenses that no family can afford.”Young and ‘restless’Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Sewa Samiti and Azad Yuva Sangthan first put the idea of night patrol into practice. “We formed WhatsApp groups to coordinate our campaign,” said Mahavir Singh, a member of the group and former president of Azad Yuva Sangthan.Presently, the team has 121 members who post a message whenever they come across a suspicious activity. “If any candidate or supporter is found attempting to influence voters by distributing cash or liquor, they will be boycotted by like-minded voters of the village,” he explained.In Haryana panchayat polls, streets run riot with cash, liquor and blood. In Jind, women and youth have formed squads to keep a vigil on illegal liquor distribution to bribe voters (Photo: Sat Singh)In such cases, the youth organisations will also launch a formal complaint against the defaulting candidate with the State Election Commission. Such incidents usually go unreported, hence the State Election Commission has not taken any action in the village prior to this.Priyanka, an arts graduate from Ramkali, told 101Reporters how liquor distribution was done openly during the previous elections. “The sarpanch candidates would spend half their election funds to distribute free liquor!”She said the village women objected to the opening of a liquor vend inside the village almost four years ago. When the protest intensified, the panchayat gave an undertaking seeking its closure. “That was the first victory for men and women who wanted to wean villagers away from liquor,” Priyanka said.Incidentally, in 2017, women of Gohana in Sonipat had torched liquor vends demanding that they be shifted out of villages.Bhateri Devi, a village elder, lauded the anti-liquor squad. “Over the years, liquor has taken the lives of many men in the village. Women and children had to bear the hardships afterwards,” she pointed out.Strengthening the social fabricLiquor and elections have a long complicated history in Haryana. Former chief minister Bansi Lal had come to power in 1996 on the prohibition poll plank. His regional outfit, Haryana Vikas Party, got the support of women voters. The ban on liquor sale was lifted later in 1998, after a rise in liquor smuggling in the State.Later, in the 2019 elections, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) promised in its election manifesto that no liquor vends would be permitted in village limits. But after forming a coalition government, JJP leader and Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, who also happens to be the Excise and Taxation Minister, fulfilled the promise only partially.In all, 850 village panchayats had given written undertakings to the State government, and the shops shut accordingly.In Jind, sarpanch post is a battle of prestige and the candidates leave no stone unturned to acquire votes (Photo: Sat Singh)Former sarpanch Surendra Singh Mor, who is not in the fray this time, said, “The initiative by village youth has put hurdles in the way of aspirants seeking to influence voters through unethical practices.”“Our village and society is already battling liquor abuse, which gets aggravated during elections. The village men drink free liquor, mostly spurious, and quarrel with their wives, leading to increased cases of domestic violence.” Narender Malik, a committee member of the patrolling task force, said they aimed at strengthening the social fabric by following the rules and ensuring free and fair elections. “We want to prevent the pre-election fracas that is very much a norm here,” he added.Jind Block Development Officer Renuka Nandal said such checks at the village level were helpful as it was practically impossible for the election officials to be present everywhere all the time.“The initiative is commendable. The district administration is on vigil against such illegal activities, but awareness at village level is always a plus,” Jind Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar remarked, hoping that other villages would learn from the initiative.Edited by Tanya Shrivastava The cover image is of women in Jind, Haryana, keeping a night vigil against illegal distribution of liquor prior to the polls scheduled for November 2.

Fake journos become menace in Haryana, face boycott

Haryana: A section of mainstream journalists from Rohtak and Jhajjar have threatened to boycott any press conference or meet if YouTube/Facebook journalists are invited to it.The 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Haryana was the first such election where the mainstream media journalists who used to enjoy ‘special treatment’ during elections reportedly received step-motherly treatment from the political parties. As political parties preferred day-long coverage of their political rallies and wanted long customized statements, YouTubers and Facebook journalists suited to their strategy over the mainstream scribes.Haryana witnessed an influx of YouTubers in Jind bypoll in January where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party won the seat against Congress, Jannayak Janta Party and Indian National Lok Dal.This election gave birth to Haryana’s two popular YouTubers, Desi Patrkar Karmu and Jagdeep Sharma and likes. The choicest run-time of a party’s customised content on the digital platform gave the YouTubers instant recognition while mainstream journalists were left behind.Parveen Dhankhar, an ex-president of the Bahadurgarh Patrakar Sangh (BPS), told 101Reporters that all the spokespersons and leaders of political parties have been informed that if they spot any YouTubers in a press conference, they would walk out.He added that such social media journalists are disallowed from attending press conferences as they receive money for covering the press conference, giving the impression that all scribes are paid. “They don’t play by [the] ethics and those who run it are neither degree-holders nor understand the responsibility attached to media,” he stated.He said the BPS had boycotted them before August 15 and the impact has started showing after political parties stopped inviting them to press conferences.Ravi Malik, the state spokesperson of Haryana Union of Journalist, told 101Reporters that the local journalists had decided to boycott events where YouTubers are invited as such journalists want to exploit the ‘journalist tag’ for minting money.“YouTubers only reach a place where they can find cash. For them, credibility, impartiality and ethics are jokes,” he added.Deepak Khokhar, a Rohtak-based senior journalist, told 101Reporters that it is impossible to ban such journalists who mushroom during the election season or political rallies.He added that they only do what is asked by the political masters/parties and accept money shamelessly. “While political parties are free to brand or market whatever they like, but using the shield of media to befool the public is our objection,” stated Khokkhar.He highlighted that a local Lok Sabha candidate had paid YouTubers for showing him win by a huge margin.“It gave confusing signals to the public, while mainstream media which was aware of ground-reality faced the ire of the public, who dubbed the entire media as stooges of the political parties,” he added.Anuj Narwal, a journalist-turned-YouTuber who runs ‘Alakh-Haryana’ news platform, disagreed with mainstream journalists’ allegations on new media. He said YouTubers are preferred by political parties because it is fast, and its reach is unimaginable for electronic media to compete. “Every hand that has a smartphone is our potential consumer, but the number of those who watch the news on TV is minimal,” Narwal added.Quelling the allegations of unethical journalism, Narwal said both electronic and new media are replete with such examples of unethical coverage, so why to blame only the new media journalists, he argued.Sanjay Rathee, state president of the Haryana Union of Journalists, said it is disappointing that mainstream media, especially electronic media, is behaving like a ‘dictator’ to the new media journalists.He added that the new media should be welcomed with open arms and minds. He stated that the old guards should learn new set of skills to adapt to the new demand in the market.He said there is desperation in the electronic media as their business is suffering because the political parties no longer wait for them for screen time. He stated that YouTubers, who have a large number of followers, are preferred by the political parties and that there is nothing wrong to supply according to the demands.He added that the whole fight between electronic media journalists and YouTubers is only about business, and all the other issues are petty and can be resolved over coffee.

Sex ratio improves but bias against girls prevails in Haryana

While the Haryana Government is going gaga over crossing the 900 mark in sex ratio at birth (SBR) and awarded for improving statistics under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, the ground picture for fairer sex remains unchanged as people still give preference to the male child.Haryana’s SBR was 819 in 2001, which was the second-lowest in the country, but it improved to 834 in 2011. At the start of the campaign in 2014, the ratio stood at 871, and it rose to 914 in 2017.Suman Manjiri, a former police officer who worked on women-related issues, said a mere improvement in statistics doesn't reflect the change in the perception of masses. "When a boy is born, it is seen as a matter of pride and strength for the family while when a girl is born, it is seen as a burden or an uninvited guest in the family,” she added. She added that the scene among the educated is no different from uneducated people and still prefer a boy. Karminder Kaur, district child marriage prohibition and protection officer of Rohtak, told 101Reporters that over 300 child marriages were prevented in Haryana last year. She stated that the parents were of the opinion that a minor girl would be safer with an older man."Their general mindset is to dispose them off as soon as they get 13 or 14. They live in some unknown fear related to the girl child, while for the boy they think differently," she added.Surekha, general secretary of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers of Haryana, said the practice of doling out cash over the birth of boy to female health workers is still rampant, but when a girl is born neither the nurse nor any member of the female staff who aided in the delivery of child gets isn’t offered anything by the family members.She added that despite the fact that the pregnant woman has no role in the gender selection of the child, she has to bear the pressure of in-laws and parents to give birth to a male child.Crushed dreamsThere is no point of celebrating as the women girl from cradle to grave remains unchanged in the state, stated Bhumika Sharma, an assistant professor at Sonipat's GVM Girls College. She said the number of girls leaving their education after school is alarming and the parents don’t want to send their daughters to a city owing to the rising levels of crimes against women."There are hundreds of girls whose dreams die every day. They are conditioned to live the life of an ordinary woman who knows how to cook, mop floor, serve husband and retire with no complaint", she added.Pratibha Rani, a college student, said that while parents have started sending off their daughters to college, the mindset related to the choice of clothes is still restricted.“Girls are required to step outside in fully covered clothes. Wearing jeans or shorts or western clothes are still considered taboo in the rural areas”, she added. She claimed that a local girl was disallowed from studying at Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, as her parents were worried about her safety and security.Partap Ahlawat, a resident of Dighal village in Jhajjar district, dubbed the effort of women empowerment unnecessary. He claimed that girls should be married off at an early age to avoid issues like crimes against women. “She has to manage her in-laws’ house, the faster she reaches there, the better it is for her”, he stated.He said the issues related to giving equal opportunities and empowerment have never been an issue for rural people or this issue is never raised by them in the election.